Quality carpets last with proper maintenance and care for many years. Removing stains from the carpet is difficult as all the stains are tough owing to their chemical properties, especially ink. Eradicating stains, especially ink is a tough task as it is made of different dyes. You need to buy patience and with continuous persistence, you can see it go. However, know how to clean ink out of carpet, if you have school-going children at home.
Inks can be in paste or liquid form. There are ball-point and water-based inks. Each stain type requires a different approach, so it is a must to ascertain the surface before trying anything. The ink contains pigments, fluorescents, solvents, lubricants, resins, particulate matter, and surfactants.
Removing ink stains from a carpet is a daunting task. Though, there are methods and ways to make it disappear. Keeping things ready is the easiest and fastest way of getting ink out of the carpet. Dropping ink or stepping on the ink elsewhere and the carpet is not uncommon. The sooner you clean the ink stain, the better so that it does not soak into the carpet.
How to clean ink out of carpet?
Firstly, get ready with rubber gloves and ensure a well-ventilated room. Here are a few ways how to clean ink out of carpet.
Rubbing Alcohol
Dab ink of any kind by rubbing alcohol. It requires pouring rubbing alcohol a small amount onto a paper towel and placing it on the stain top. Place 3 more paper towels and apply pressure. Keep replacing the paper towels to soak the ink through. Repeat the same procedure until you see the stain disappearing.
Note: Check in a carpet’s unnoticeable corner by applying alcohol using a sponge and testing it.
Alternatively, use isopropyl alcohol instead of rubbing alcohol. Even denatured alcohol works effectively on ballpoint pen ink. Butyl alcohol works better on stamp pads or ballpoint pen inks.
Dish Soap
Apply mild dish soap and warm water to the ink spots. Mix dish soap ¼ teaspoon with warm water 1 cup. Soak a sponge and dab at the ink stain. Occasionally rinse the sponge and remove the ink. This method is useful to remove water-based ink.
Alternatively, take laundry detergent 1 teaspoon in a bowl of warm water. Using a sponge dab to the area stained until the stain disappears. It is ideal for natural fiber carpets. Another option for natural fiber carpets is to take 1 teaspoon of dish soap and mix it with 1 cup of warm water. Use a clean toothbrush and scrub the soaped-up area to clean the carpet fibers.
Cornstarch and Milk
Cornstarch paste is useful to eliminate dried ink stains or tattoo ink from the carpet. Mix milk and cornstarch and make a paste. Spread carefully the paste on the ink stain appearing on the carpet. Check and cover the stained fibers. Wait for the paste to harden, and vacuum the paste-up.
Keep repeating the same procedure, if the stain is adamant. The stain will disappear as cornstarch absorbs the stain molecules and works best on food stains and grease.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is good for removing ink from the carpet. You may dip a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide and place it on the carpet with having ink stain. Hydrogen peroxide turns out the ink stain. You can also pour on the cotton ball hydrogen peroxide and place it on the stain. With patience repeat the procedure until the stain becomes invisible.
Alternatively, sprinkle on the ink stain some hydrogen peroxide, and on the top place a damp cloth. Iron over the cloth, so that it pulls the ink into the cloth.
Ammonia
Use laundry detergent, water, and ammonia on permanent ink stains. Take warm water, add ammonia 1 tablespoon, and pour in a spray bottle. Spray it on the ink stain on the carpet and blot it using a damp cloth. Keep ready another bowl by adding 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent to a bowl full of warm water. Dab the area using a sponge until you see the stain disappearing.
Ammonia is not appropriate for natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or linen. It is an ideal choice only for synthetic carpets. Alternatively take 1 part of each, hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Apply using a sponge or paper towel to the area, until it vanishes.
Hair Spray
Alcohol-based hair spray helps remove ink of any type from the carpet. Saturate the paper towel in hair spray and apply it over the ink stain. Blot again the area using a dry paper towel. Use a damp sponge and dab the spot to soak the residue up. If the ink stain is stubborn, apply the same hydrogen peroxide and it will clean the ink out of the carpet.
Note: The alcohol amount should be high in the hair spray for ink removal. If the hair spray is alcohol-free, it is not useful.
WD-40
Spray WD-40, a lubricant on ink, permanent or oil-based. Spray WD-40 and remove the inks. Dab the stain using a sponge by dipping it in soapy warm water. Take water soak another sponge in it and dab to eliminate the soap and ink.
Allow it to completely dry and use your fingers to separate the carpet fibers. Without fail test WD-40 before using it on the ink stain.
Commercial Carpet Cleaner
Buy a carpet spot remover from a store and read the label to affirm to take out ink stains. You spritz the cleaner on the area, dab with a paper towel or a rag, and wait for a few minutes. Lift the spill using a wet vacuum and apply the spot remover. Repeat the procedure and ensure the vacuum sucks up the stain and the cleaner.
Alternatively, go natural by applying vinegar 1 part to water 1 part and soak the spot using a paper towel with this mixture.
Conclusion
Carpet fibers are different so take utmost care while treating ink stains. Before proceeding with the cleaning procedures, consult with the company for maintenance guidelines. Confirm the appropriate carpet fiber and understand how to clean ink out of the carpet. Failure to follow the ink stain removal procedure may result in damaging your carpet.